Barw Barw Medical Journal 2960-1959 3 3 2025 06 03 Are Cervical Ribs Indicators of Childhood Cancer? A Narrative Review 26 33 10.58742/bmj.v3i3.184 eng Fahmi H. Kakamad College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. fahmi.hussein@univsul.edu.iq Lawand Ahmed Sharif Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shorsh General Hospital, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. lawand.ahmed@gmail.com Ahmed H. Ahmed Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. ahmed.ahmed@gmail.com Sakar O. Arif Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. sakar.arif@gmail.com Omed M. Hussein Rheumatology Department, Ministry of Health, Shorsh Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. omed.hussein@gmail.com Azad S. Hattam Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. azad.hattam@gmial.com Lawen J. Mustafa Rheumatology Department, Ministry of Health, Shorsh Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. lawen.mustafa@gmail.com Hiwa S. Namiq College of Pharmacy, Department of Basic science, University of Sulaimani, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. hiwa.namiq@gmail.com Wirya N. Sabr Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shar Hospital, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. wirya.sabr@gmail.com Abdullah K. Ghafour Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. abdullah.ghafour@gmail.com Saywan K. Asaad College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. saywan.asaad@gmail.com Marwan N. Hassan Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. marwan.nasih12@gmail.com Berun A. Abdalla Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. berun.anwer95@gmail.com Hawkar A. Nasralla Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. hawkar.arf96@gmail.com Ali D. Sadullah Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. ali.sadullah@gmail.com 2025 04 12 A cervical rib (CR), also known as a supernumerary or extra rib, is an additional rib that forms above the first rib, resulting from the overgrowth of the transverse process of a cervical vertebra. Increasingly recognized as a potential marker of developmental disruptions and genetic instability, CRs are believed to arise from mutations in homeobox (Hox) genes that influence axial skeletal development. While often asymptomatic, CRs have been linked to thoracic outlet syndrome and a higher prevalence in individuals with certain childhood cancers. Studies have reported associations between CRs and malignancies such as neuroblastoma, brain tumors, leukemia, sarcomas, Wilms tumor, and germ cell tumors, suggesting possible shared embryological pathways or genetic predispositions. However, conflicting research findings highlight inconsistencies in these associations, underscoring the need for further investigation. This review aims to assess the association between CRs and childhood cancers by examining prevalence rates, exploring genetic and developmental links, evaluating inconsistencies in existing research, and identifying gaps for future study to clarify the clinical significance of CRs in cancer risk assessment.